Hebrews 5:11-6:3
11There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. 6:1So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
Hebrews 5:11-6:3 · NLT · read the whole chapter ↗
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Context
this comes a chapter after monday's reading. the writer wants to go deeper with these believers, but stops, because they haven't grown much since they started. the reading ends with the writer saying it's time to move past the basics and keep growing.
between monday's reading and this one, the writer starts explaining how Jesus is a priest like Melchizedek, a mysterious king and priest who shows up briefly in Genesis 14. then he stops mid-thought. his readers have become slow to listen, and he worries they will lose the thread.
so he uses a picture everyone understands. by now these believers should be teaching others, yet they still need someone to walk them through the basics again. in chapter 6 he lists those basics: turning from sin, faith in God, teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection and eternal judgment. a foundation is meant to be built on.
the reading ends on a hopeful note. the writer says that, with God's help, they will keep moving forward together.
What it means
milk isn't bad, since babies need it, but the problem is never moving past it. solid food here means learning to tell right from wrong for yourself, and verse 14 says that comes through practice, not only through hearing someone else explain it.
did you know? the word for training in verse 14 comes from the Greek word gymnazō, which is where we get the word gymnasium.
Think about it
if someone asked what you believe about God, how much of your answer would come from reading the Bible yourself?
Try this
choose when and where you'll read friday's passage, and put it in your phone so you don't have to remember.
pray: God, I don't want to stay stuck on the basics forever. thank you for being patient with me while I grow. give me a hunger for your word, and help me practice what I read, not just hear it. show me someone I can encourage this week, and help me keep going when it's hard. amen.
talk about it: what is one question about the Bible you wish someone would explain?